Dwindling

This photo is the after bloom of my dwindling Allium collection. I started with 7 flowers and lost one or two each year since we moved here. This is number 2 of two that remain. I suppose it is fitting that I'm pulling out this flower bed to put in a rock garden with fountain or pond. Perhaps the Allium knew the cycle.

The flowers slowly decreased as weeds and junk increased. It became overgrown with the bad stuff and barely dotted with the good. Even the good hosta became ugly as the weeds grew through and surrounded it.

Pulling weeds is not my favorite task. It's like losing weight. It sucks, but it looks fantastic and rewarding afterwards.

My weight is dwindling. Well, lingering may be a better word. I've been doing the Couch to 5K plan and last night was the biggest run yet. Twenty minute job with no breaks in between. I was fairly doubtful as the workout before had us doing a 5 minute brisk walk in between two 8 minute jogs. For me, that was a stretch, exhausted after the 8 minutes.

I've been running at night, getting the boys fairly set for bed and taking off. Last night, no one was in bed, but I needed to return some movies before we were charged another nights worth and there was threat of thunderstorms.

Into minute 10, it started to sprinkle. Luckily, that's all it did for the full run. And I did it. I did the full 20 minutes. I even picked up speed at the end, pushing out all I had. It was amazing.

To my dread, as I approached my house, Tom was outside. I thought the kids were driving him nuts and he had to come out for some air. Instead, he started clapping. He was cheering me on. He congratulated me with smiles and words and clapping.

This is working. I am running. I am enjoying it. I am losing weight.

And it feels great.